ab1902

Changes in proteoglycan content of articular cartilage during avian degenerative joint disease

J.M. Anderson-MacKenzie^1,2, S.P. Robins³, B.H. Thorp², D.J.S. Hulmes1,4

¹Department of Biochemistry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh; ²Roslin Institute, Roslin, Midlothian; ³Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, UK; 4IBCP, CNRS UMR 5086, Lyon, France

ABSTRACT
Objective
To determine the biochemical changes in articular cartilage composition associated with the development of avian degenerative joint disease (DJD) in ad libitum fed broiler fowl, in comparison to feed-restricted broilers and J-line fowl (non-susceptible to DJD).

Methods
Articular cartilage from the distal tibiotarsus (DTT) was characterised up to age 180 days. Proteoglycan content was determined by uronic acid and sulphated glycosaminoglycan analysis, cellularity by assay for DNA content, and collagen content and crosslinking by hydroxyproline and pyridinoline analysis, respectively.

Results
Disease development was accompanied by increased hydration and proteoglycan content (particularly sulphated proteoglycans) and decreased cellularity, with no significant differences in either total collagen content or in mature collagen cross-linking.

Conclusion
The biochemical features of avian DJD are similar to those observed in other animal models. This bipedal model is exceptional however since cartilage alterations occur spontaneously and in a load-dependent manner.

Key words
Articular cartilage, biochemistry, osteoarthritis, poultry.

This work was supported by the BBSRC (project grant to DJSH and BHT, studentship to JMA-M) and by the Arthritis and Rheumatism Council (project grant to DJSH and SPR).
Please address correspondence and reprint requests to: Dr. Janet M. Anderson-MacKenzie, Collagen Research Group, Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol BS40 5DS, UK.
E-mail: j.m.anderson-mackenzie@ bris.ac.uk